*A couple days prior to working on this project, place metal frames into a vat of water.

Steps:

1. Place fresh flowers onto computer scanner bed and scan an image. Alter the image to your liking and print two copies onto tissue paper. Spray mount the tissue to heavy bond paper so it can run through a computer printer.

2. Print two more images of the fresh flowers, but this time print the reverse of the image. Note: Create the image's reverse using an image editing program.

3. Cut out the tissue images.

4. Cover the first side of the acrylic panel with white, nontoxic glue. Quickly put the acrylic glue side down on top of the tissue. Moving rapidly, turn it over and smooth out the creases with a piece of scrap tissue paper. This helps prevent tearing. Repeat for the second piece of acrylic.

5. When both pieces of acrylic have tissue on one side, coat with the sealer and allow to dry thoroughly.

6. When dry, repeat steps 3 to 5 on the opposite side of both pieces. Use a light box to make sure that the registration of the two images is perfect.

7. Coat this side with the sealer. Each side should have about two coats of the sealer. Allow to dry.

8. Sand each panel on each side.

9. Apply a final coat of polyurethane to both sides of the sanded panels.

10. To make the metal frames: Remove the frames from the water and wipe clean, making sure they are thoroughly dry.

11. Use a gas torch to slowly fire the frames, making sure the metal doesn't get too hot or turn color.

12. Once the frames have cooled, spray with a clear acrylic coating for protection.

13. Attach the frames using the double-sided tape. Use a drill press to drill four holes into each panel.

14. Lace wax cotton through each set of holes and tie into a neat knot.

Elegant meets humble when a sophisticated gilt frame surrounds an inexpensive DIY chalkboard. Place it in the dining room with a thoughtful greeting for holiday guests, or use it to announce the dinner menu or evening's festivities.